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WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1979
ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SUPPORTED THE BILL BUT ASKED FOR A REALISTIC SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF PLACING FISHERFOLK CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.
HE AGREED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OF SOME FISHERFOLK MOVING FROM ONE TYPHOON SHELTER TO ANOTHER BUT ASKED WHY THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO GIVE THEM PRACTICAL ENCOURAGEMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT IS THE ROLE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND OTHER INTERESTED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE A REALISTIC SOLUTION WHERE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE WAS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES.
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TOPLEY EXPLAINS FLEXIBILITY OF EDUCATION BILL
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THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 IS DRAWN IN THE WAY IT IS TO GIVE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION DISCRETIONARY POWERS TO ISSUE AN ATTENDANCE ORDER RATHER THAN TO DESIGNATE NON-ATTENDANCE AS A CRIME, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979.
REFERRING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 15, MR. TOPLEY SAID, ++WE REALISED THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE ENTERPRISE AND THE NEED NOT TO BE TOO RIGID BUT RATHER TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CIRCUMSTANCES.+
+1 DON'T KNOW OF ANY COUNTRY WHERE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IS ENFORCED TOTALLY IRRESPECTIVE OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES,
HE SAID.
+I DO NOT WISH ANY MEMBER TO BE UNDER ANY ILLUSION THAT EVERY LAST CHILD WILL BE IN SCHOOL NEXT SEPTEMBER. EVEN WITH THE GREATEST IMAGINABLE RESOURCES THIS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. I ALSO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE WILL DO OUR LEVEL BEST WITH THE RESOURCES WE CAN REASONABLY COMMAND, MR. TOPLEY SAID.
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ON THE +CONCERTED APPROACH TOWARDS THE PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY THE CHILDREN OF BOAT PEOPLE, HE SAIDI
+THE COMPLEX OF PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY THE BOAT DWELLERS IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RELEVANT SECRETARIAT BRANCHES.+
THE NEEDS OF BOAT DWELLERS' CHILDREN WERE BEING CONSIDERED
IN THE CONTEXT OF GENERAL PROBLEMS OF IMPLEMENTING COMPULSORY JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN ISOLATED AREAS, MR. TOPLEY ADDED.
ON FTNAMITAL